Kappa Cephei, also known as κ Cep and SAO 9665, is a binary star located in the Cepheus constellation. This pair is a tight, but pretty double viewed through a telescope and a good target for backyard astronomers. This system, discovered in 1782, is especially appealing because one star is brighter than the other. Learn about this autumn gem and what you can expect to see through your telescope.
Category Archives: Double/Multiple Stars
Omicron Cephei: A Challenging but Rewarding Pair in Cepheus
Omicron Cephei, a binary star system situated in the northern sky in the constellation, Cepheus, consists of two contrasting stars; an F-type primary star and a G-type giant companion. This pair’s binary nature was first noted in 1832, and it lies 203 light years away, requiring a moderately-sized telescope for viewing. The binary is also known as SAO 20554, Struve STF 3001, HIP 115088.
Struve 2816 and 2819: Fantastic Stars in Cepheus
Struve 2816 and 2819 make their home in the constellation Cepheus. This much-loved autumn constellation boasts several remarkable celestial objects.
Sketch of Struve 2816 and Struve 2819 as shown in the same 12mm eyepiece in a 8-inch SCT scope. Both sets of double and triple stars are beautiful in the constellation Cepheus. The drawing shows both sets of star also known as STF 2819 and 2816. Also go by (SAO 33626, HD 206267, HR 8281) and (SAO 33652, HD 206482)
Struve 2404: A Tight, Attractive Orange-Red and Yellow Double in Aquila
Struve 2404 is a tight attractive double star in the summer constellation of Aquila, which lies on the celestial equator. The Russian astronomer Otto Wilhelm von Struve first recorded an observation of this pair in 1822.
This pair features a magnitude +6.9 primary star with a beautiful warm orange hue. The orange-red giant star has a stellar classification of K5III and is nearly 60 times the diameter of our sun! The secondary star lies closely by at 3.6 arcseconds away and shines at a magnitude of +7.8. The pair also known as STF 2404, HD 174569, SAO 104170, HR 7099.
Epsilon Sagittae: A Warm Yellow and Pale Blue Double Star in Sagitta
On August 19, 1780, astronomer William Herschel discovered Epsilon Sagittae, a double star in the Sagitta constellation. It features a visible primary star with a magnitude of +5.7 and a fainter companion. Best viewed in summer, this pair showcases a golden-yellow and blue hue contrast for observers using binoculars or telescopes. Also known as SAO 105061, HD 185194, 4 Sagittae, Eps Sge, HIP 96516, HR 7463, H VI 26.
Struve 2742: A Challenging, Yet Rewarding Binary in Equuleus
Struve 2742 is a binary star in Equuleus, first noted in the 19th century. Best viewed in late summer and autumn, it features two stars 3 arcseconds apart, requiring at least a 6-inch telescope for a clear view. With magnitudes of +7.4 and +7.6, it’s a rewarding target for amateur astronomers. Article includes a drawing of the binary also known as SAO 126482, HD 200256, HIP 103813, 2 Equulei, Lam Equ, λ Equ
Epsilon Equulei (Struve 2737): A Quaint Star System of Yellow and Violet in Equuleus
The delicate and pretty magnitude 5 triple star Epsilon Equulei shines down from the constellation Equuleus on late summer and autumn nights. Learn more about this pretty star and see what it looks like through a backyard telescope.
Struve 2679: A Quaint Triangle Star System in Delphinus
The constellation Delphinus boasts a variety of nice celestial objects, including Struve 2679, a multiple-star system that is visible during late summer and early autumn nights. It makes a small triangle.
The Garden Astronomer 